Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Kyiv would like to hold a meeting with the American and Russian negotiating teams in Abu Dhabi even before a potential summit between the US, China, and Russia. The head of state made these remarks during a conversation with journalists, RBC-Ukraine reports. According to him, it is not yet known for certain what exactly will be discussed at the meeting of the three powers, but, in Zelenskyy's estimation, the Middle East and the war in Ukraine will be at the center of their attention.
Kyiv’s Priority: Abu Dhabi Before the Three-Power Summit
"Let's see what kind of meeting this will be. We would very much like our meeting in Abu Dhabi to take place before that," Zelenskyy concluded. Thus, the Ukrainian side is trying to secure its own round of negotiations involving the US and Russia before the potential trilateral summit of the US, China, and Russia takes place. According to Ukrainian and American sources, Kyiv and Washington are also urging Moscow not to wait for the initially designated November 10 date and to start a new round in the Emirati capital at least seven days earlier; Russia, which has stated its readiness to resume negotiations, has not yet confirmed the date change.
"Yalta-2, 3, 4": Zelenskyy Opposes Redistribution of Influence
Commenting on the very idea of a meeting between the three major powers, the Ukrainian president warned of the risk of a new "Yalta-style" settlement. "I really wouldn't want this to be 'Yalta-2, 3, 4', when there is a redistribution of influence. I would even say not of influence, but of opinions — that it is possible to redistribute things this way," he stated. Zelenskyy emphasized that the modern "fragmented" and technologically different world is very different from the era of the Second World War, and in such realities, redistribution between three large countries is impossible, in his opinion.
Who Wants the Meeting the Most: The President’s Assessment
Zelenskyy drew attention to which side is most interested in the summit. "I would draw attention to who wants this meeting the most. I believe that after Alaska, this will be Russia's second such diplomatic, serious advantage if everything happens exactly as the Russians are currently 'leaking' regarding their desires for a new 'Yalta'. I think Russia wants it the most," he said. At the same time, according to his assessment, China is the least interested in such a meeting, as it will not receive tangible benefits from it.
Context: Brussels, Abu Dhabi, and Date Shifts
Zelenskyy's statement came against the backdrop of active diplomatic engagement: on October 27–28 in Brussels, at the level of the President of Ukraine, the American side, the EU, and the NATO Secretary General, a meeting was planned on security guarantees and ending the war, which, according to Zelenskyy, was initiated by the American side. The diplomatic route, according to Ukrainian and foreign media reports, involves coordination in Brussels, technical negotiations in Abu Dhabi with the participation of Ukraine, the US, and Russia, and, if there is progress, a possible leaders' summit. The Ukrainian team also explained its persistence in shifting dates by noting that in December every week will matter for people left without electricity, water, and heating, and the dates themselves fall during the period after the US midterm congressional elections.
Earlier, Zelenskyy commented on Russia's demands to roll back NATO to its 1997 level, voiced a warning to the US regarding the resumption of economic cooperation with Russia, and discussed how the war in the Middle East has hit Ukraine. Thus, the question of the sequence and date of meetings in Abu Dhabi and the potential three-power summit is becoming one of the key issues in the current diplomatic track.
